Prostaglandins (PGs), especially PGE2 and PGF2α, are critical local mediators that play important role in luteolysis and maternal recognition of pregnancy in pigs. Luteolysis during the estrous cycle in pigs is induced by PGF2α synthesized and secreted by the uterine endometrium. In pregnant pigs, PG synthesis is changed in favor of PGE2 synthesis. However, molecular and cellular mechanisms by which PGE2 and PGF2α are produced in the uterine endometrium during pregnancy are poorly understood. Therefore, we determined immunolocalization of PTGES, AKR1B1, CBR1, and HPGD that are involved in synthesis and catabolism of PGE2 and PGF2α in the uterine endometrium during the estrous cycle and pregnancy in pigs. Uterine endometrial tissue samples were collected from day (D) 12 and D15 of the estrous cycle and from D12, D15, D30, D60, D90, and D114 of pregnancy. Spatial expression of all proteins studied was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. PTGES were localized primarily to luminal and glandular epithelial cells. AKR1B1 were localized to luminal epithelial cells during early pregnancy and chorionic membrane during mid- to late pregnancy. CBR1 and HPGD were localized to luminal epithelial cells. Our results showed that expression of proteins responsible for synthesis and catabolism of PGE2 and PGF2α were dynamically regulated in the uterine endometrium during the estrous cycle and pregnancy in pigs. These results indicate that PGs play critical roles to support the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy at the maternal-fetal interface in pigs. This research was supported by the Next Generation BioGreen 21 program (#PJ007997), RDA, Republic of Korea.

Runx2 and Osterix, the transcription factors for osteoblast differentiation, are known as fundamental factors to regulate the development of calcified tissues. However, the biological functions of these factors in the development of the periodontal tissues remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the distribution of Runx2 and Osterix during periodontal tissue development of the mice. Mandibles from 14-day-old mice were prepared for paraffin section. Serial sections of the mandible containing 1 st molar tooth germs were obtained as a thickness of 7 μm. Some sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Others were used for immunohistochemistry for PCNA, Runx2, and Osterix. Epithelial cells in growing end of Hertwig’s epithelial root sheath (HERS) and mesenchymal cells adjacent to the growing end of HERS expressed PCNA. Undifferentiated mesenchymal cells and hard tissue forming cells like cementoblasts and osteoblasts in early stage of differentiation expressed Runx2. Fully differentiated cementoblasts and osteoblasts secreting matrix proteins expressed Osterix. However, the cells terminated the matrix formation did not express Osterix. Periodontal ligament cells expressed Runx2 and Osterix. Pulp cells expressed Runx2 only.These results suggest that Runx2 and Osterix might regulate the differentiation of cementoblasts in the same manner as osteoblasts. Runx2 might participate in the process of cementoblast differentiation in early stage, whether Osterix might regulate the maturation and matrix synthesis of the cells.

In odontogenic osteolytic lesions, the mechanism involved in inflammation 때d osteolysis is still under debate. We investigated the role 。OL-l ~ -1 ß, -4, -6, -8, TNF- a in the expansion of the odontogenic cysts, by using 50 cases of excised odontogenic cysts. The degrees of inflammation were graded into 2 groups and immunohistochernical stainings were performed, The cytoplasrnic reaction in squamous epithelial cells, stromal cells and infIitrating inflammatory cells was examined. The relationship between the expressions of IL-1 q -1 ß, -4, -6, -8, π-JF- aand the degree of inflammation and the correlation among them were analyzed. 까1e 비Stilαγtic expressions of IL-l ~ IL-l ß and TNF-awere 66.6%, 66.6% and 4O.00Al respeαively and the epithelial exp~않sions of IL-4, -6, -8 were 32.00Al, 38.00Al and 24.00Al respeαively. IL-4, -6 and 용 were positively stained in plasma cells in 38.00Al, endothelial cells in 40.00/0 and neutrophils in 24. 00Al respectively. The expresssion rate of IL-4 in plasma cells and IL-8 in epithelium and neutrophils were inα얹sed in ca않s with marked inflammation. 까1e exp!1않sion rate of IL-1 ßin 피해ocytes and IL-4 in plasma cells were positively correlated with the expæssion of TNF-1 ain histiocytes. π1e expression rate of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4 in the epithelium were correlated with the expression of IL-6 in the epithelium and endothelial cells. A1though statistically insi.맑표ìcant， the expression rate of IL-6 were decreased in cases with marked inflammation and nega디vely correlated with IL-8, the proinflammatory cytokine, and the expressions of IL-4 and IL-6 in the epithelium can be considered as inhibiting the inflammatory reaction. These results suggest that the expressions of IL-4 and IL-6 suppress and IL-8 stimulates the inflammatory reaction in Odontogenic Cysts.